Bad Bridget Authors To Give Dorothy Macardle Humanities Lecture

03 April 2023

The Department of Humanities are delighted to announce that eminent historians, Dr. Elaine Farrell and Dr. Leanne McCormick, authors of the recent bestselling book, Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women, with give the Dorothy Macardle Humanities Lecture on the 25^th April at 2.30pm in the Whitaker Theatre, DkIT. Dorothy Macardle, born in Dundalk in 1889, was a teacher, political activist, successful novelist, playwright, critic, historian and social campaigner for women’s and children’s rights, with a particular interest in refugees.

Each year we hope to bring a leading academic to DkIT to present a public lecture for students and faculty based on a theme related to Macardle’s many interests but in the general humanities area, with a focus on identity, place and community. DkIT are honoured to launch this annual lecture in her honour, which is generously supported by Dundalk Credit Union.

Dr Farrell and Dr McCormick’s book is based on their popular podcast, Bad Bridget, which aims to recover the lives of deviant Irish women who travelled to America and Canada during the nineteenth and early twentieth century, with a focus on New York, Boston, and Toronto.

‘A fascinating account of an aspect of the diaspora that is rarely given attention . . . Farrell and McCormick have created a captivating account of lives previously ignored’ ― Sunday Independent

‘An important, impeccably researched though eminently readable book that charts new territory . . . this could yet be the book of 2023’ -- Clodagh Finn ― Irish Examiner

‘Fascinating’ ― Irish Times

‘I just loved it . . . this is a book that will enrich any bookshelf around the country’ -- Ryan Tubridy